Conventional 2 dimensional (2D) cine MRI of myocardial motion is limited in its ability to describe the complex 3 dimensional (3D) motion of the heart due to sparse coverage and inconsistent breath-holding. So far, clinical feasibility of 3D cine imaging has been limited due to the long acquisition times and requirements for acceleration techniques that are not routinely available.

We demonstrate the use navigator-gated 3D cine acquisition that can be performed with routine acceleration techniques within the time constraints of clinical MRI scans.

We compared the accuracy, reproducibility and image quality of 3D steady-state-free-precession (SSFP) cine imaging of the heart with conventional 2D SSFP cine imaging for the assessment of cardiac volumes, global and regional myocardial function.

Right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular volumes, global and regional strain and the LV systolic dyssynchrony index (LV-SDI) were compared for the two acquisitions. Intraclass correlation (ICC), Blant-Altman, inter- and intra-observer variability were analysed.

Routine 3D SSFP cine imaging is feasible within clinical time constraints and without a loss of image quality or loss of agreement in absolute functional parameters compared to 2D measurements. More detailed coverage results in improved inter-observer agreement and reduced LV-SDI. The navigator-correction for the 3D approach also removed inaccuracies from slice mis-registration due to inconsistent breath-holding.

Figure 1

3D balanced SSFP cine acquisition of the heart. Using slice planes every image plane can be chosen. Top: 3D volume of the heart. Below: short axis and left ventricle long axis geometries are obtained from the original 3D volume, without inaccuracies from slice mis-registration.

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